The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-11
Liability of Sleeping Car Companies

Liability of Sleeping Car Companies
Porters Of sleeping cars are the subjects Of
innumerable jokes, and now and then they
are the subjects of complaints. 1t is quite
certain that some of them become the terror
of the travelling public, not only because of
their demands in the way of fees, but be
cause they seem to think that they own the
cars in which they are employed and act as
| if they were comforting a favor upon every
body for whom they render a service, how
ever slight it may be. 1t is related that an
| Englishman who had heard great deal of
| train robbers remarked, on his arrival at
| New York from San Francisco, that he was
surprised at finding that all the train rob
ebrs along the route, of which he had heard
so much, were black. He had in his limo
cence. taken the sleeping car porters for
train robbers
Doubtless the porters and conductors of
sleeping cars have some excuse for some
times acting in way that is not altogether
pleasant to those with whom they come in
contact while discharging their duties
There are a good many contentious, cranky
and altogether disagreeable people among
! life burden to those who have charge of
sleeping cars
A rather interesting case has just been
decided by a court at Vicksburg, Miss,
which involved, to some extent the rights
of occupants of sleepers. Two travellers
asked to have their berths made up before
| the usual hour at which the porter was ac-
customed to perform that duty Their re
quest was refused, and dispute arose be-
tween the travellers and the conductor and
porter 1t seems that the travellers were
grossly insulted by the two employees. The
outcome of the trouble was that the berths
of the two travellers were not made up at
ali, and they were compelled to sit up all
night, although holding sleeping berth
tickets They brought suit against the
Pullman company and received a verdict
for $3.50.
1t does not appear from the report of the
case whether they received damages for the
injury done their feelings by the insult, or
because their berths were not made up in ac-
cordance with their request, or because the
berths were not made up at all Quiet and
accomplishing travellers doubtless hope
that this case will not put it into the heads
of persons of speculative turn of mind to
get into disputes with sleeping car porters
and conductors with the hope of getting
damages from sleeping car companies.
A New York Presbyterian minister who
is attracting great deal of attention is the
Rev. Richard d. Harlan, son of Mr.. Justice
Harlan, of the United States Supreme Court
1t is not quite three years since he gradu-
ated at the theological seminary at Prince
ton, n J. He preached his first sermon
after graduation in Washington. D. c., and
it excited a great deal of favorable COM
ment. A New York correspondent, speak
ing of him, says that he is very tall and
slender, and has a smooth face. His voice
is rich and strong end his manner is very
captivating. He occupies the pulpit of the
church that is believed to be the
wealthiest in New York. 1t is the church
that such families as the Astors and
Lenoxes have attended for two or three
| generations. 1t is nip and tuck for wealth
between Trinity church. the Rev DR.. Pax
tons, and this church of young Harlan's
Its contribution to benevolent objects was
for years away ahead of any given by any
| Presbyterian church in the land OF late
the collections taken in Dr. Paxton's, DR.
| Halls and St Bartholomew, where the
VanderbiltS go, have been nearly on par
with Harlan's. But Harlan's is remarka-
bly, rich congregation. Strangers have
fallen into the habit of visiting Mr.. Har-
lanS church, because of the stories told of
his success as a preacher. When they first
| look upon his boyish face they are some
what surprised to find that he is so young
man. Before the sermon is well begun, how
ever, they forget his youthful looks and only
know that they are listening to one of the
brainiest of men, with one of the richest voices
they ever heard. It matters not that the
preacher hasn't been old enough to vote
long. The sermon inspires and elevates, and
the voice and manner charm Mr.. Har-
| Ian is a born orator. His success is a
matter of some little interest in this city,
for the reason that a suggestion was made,
before he accepted the New York appoint
ment, that he be considered in connection
| with Savannah pulpit.